Another dead 88 Century Limited

[glassgopher]

Hey everyone

I got this car (1988 century limited, 3.8L) about 18 months ago in near-perfect condition (a little old lady's church car). I've been taking care of it since but there are some times, occasional cold or wet days where it's died on me when i come to a stop. it doesn't sputter and stall or anything, it's just not running anymore when i stop, and then starts up no problem. it doesn't seem to show quite the same symptoms as a lot of folks have where it dies while driving, or picks back up with a bunch of gas.

about 2 weeks ago it did that at a stop light after having not done it at all for about 6 months. then last week it just wouldn't start up in the morning and hasn't started since. just tries to turn over and cranks forever but nothing doing, and i couldn't figure it out, thought maybe fuel pump or something. checked around and heard about the common crank sensor problem, or that it could be the fuel pump also. someone else recommended i just start with new spark plug wires and move up from there until i found it, but not sure about that.

any recommendations or ideas?

thanks

[GTP Dad]

Try this, remove the air filter connection from the throttle body and spray a little starting fluid in the opening, if it starts then the fuel pump is probably your problem. Or if you would rather do it the other way rent a fuel pressure guage and install on the shrader fitting on the fuel rail. Turn on the key, if the pressure goes up then the pump is working, if not then the pump is not working and will need to be replaced. You may also want to check the fuel pump relay located inside the power control center under the hood. If it is bad then the pump will not work either.

If not then there is a problem with the ignition system. I would start with the crank position sensor since it is the most likely culprit although the other one could be the ignition module under the coils. The ignition module is much easier to replace than the CPS so you may want to change that before moving on. The other items that could cause this problem are the cam position sensor, coils, wires or plugs but if the car ran well and just won't start if the fuel system checks out then one of the ignition components is where you need to look.

[valvolinexc1]

Originally Posted by glassgopher

Hey everyone

I got this car (1988 century limited, 3.8L) about 18 months ago in near-perfect condition (a little old lady's church car). I've been taking care of it since but there are some times, occasional cold or wet days where it's died on me when i come to a stop. it doesn't sputter and stall or anything, it's just not running anymore when i stop, and then starts up no problem. it doesn't seem to show quite the same symptoms as a lot of folks have where it dies while driving, or picks back up with a bunch of gas.

about 2 weeks ago it did that at a stop light after having not done it at all for about 6 months. then last week it just wouldn't start up in the morning and hasn't started since. just tries to turn over and cranks forever but nothing doing, and i couldn't figure it out, thought maybe fuel pump or something. checked around and heard about the common crank sensor problem, or that it could be the fuel pump also. someone else recommended i just start with new spark plug wires and move up from there until i found it, but not sure about that.

any recommendations or ideas?

thanks

Also check (TPS) throttle position sensor!